Preseason Countdown: No. 37 Pueblo East

By John Cackowski
State Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. The top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here

Team: Pueblo East
Preseason Rank: 37
2015 Record: 14-7
Conference: South Central
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: D.J Latino
Playoff Run: Lost to Wheat Ridge 7-0 in 4A District 7 Championship Game.
2015 Final Rank: 44
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS:
Andrew Vigil, INF, 2016
Danny Martin, INF/RHP, 2016
Jaycee Martinez, UTIL, 2016
Jeremiah Arellano, UTIL/RHP, 2017

X-FACTOR:
Will this be the year the Eagles break through the 4A district bracket? The past couple of season will be important experience they can draw from.

OTHER PLAYERS WHO CAN MAKE AN IMPACT:
The Eagles had 7 sophomores and 2 freshman get playing time in 2015 which will be important experience to take into the 2016 season.

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Sonny Arellano (Graduated) and Andres Acuna (Dodge City)

STAT RAT:
To beat the Eagles you need to stop the running game. Last year they stole 61 Bases.

BOTTOM LINE: 

The Pueblo West Eagles have had a couple of heart breaking 4A District Playoff runs the last two years. In 2014 they lost in the single elimination district playoff format 4-3 in extra innings to eventual 4A state champions Green Mountain. In 2015 after coming from behind 4-0 in the 5th inning to eventually win 6-4 against Holy Family in the first game of the Class 4A District 7 site, the Eagles would lose in the championship game 7-0 to Wheat Ridge. For the 2016 season you need to start with 2016 INF/RHP Andrew Vigil. Last year Vigil was the triple crown winner for the Eagles hitting .438 with 27 RBI's and 2 homeruns. He will be called upon to also help more on the mound in 2016. 2017 Jeremiah Arellano will also return as one of the top 4A hitters in the state. Arellano hit .435 with 20 RBI's. Arellano also had impressive numbers on the mound pitching 20 innings with an impressive 0.35 ERA. 2016 RHP Jaycee Martinez also returns and went 5-1 on the mound in 2015 and returns as one of the main options on the mound. 2016 INF Danny Martin will be the table setter. In 2016 he hit .413 and led the Eagles with 31 hits. Martin also scored 23 runs while stealing 15 bases. The Eagles will be in the 4A playoff hunt for sure in 2016. Will this the year they learn from some past experiences and break through the 4A District Round? 

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